Bachman–Turner Overdrive ( frequently known as BTO) is a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg, Manitoba, that had a string of hit albums and singles in the 1970s, selling over 7 million albums in Canada in that decade. Their 1970s catalog included five Top 40 albums and six Top 40 singles. The band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide .
The precursor to BTO was the band Brave Belt, formed in Winnipeg in 1971 by Randy Bachman and Chad Allan, both formerly of The Guess Who, and drummer Robin "Robbie" Bachman.
Brave Belt's self-titled first album did not sell particularly well and Allan left the band shortly after the supporting tour started. Not having a lead vocal replacement ready, Turner was asked to be a full-time member and sing lead for the recording of Brave Belt II in 1972. Brave Belt II also failed to achieve major chart success and in mid-1972 their tour in support of the album was canceled halfway through. But Turner's influence had started to make itself felt as the band morphed from pure country rock to a harder, guitar-heavy sound featuring Turner's gruff, powerful voice .
The precursor to BTO was the band Brave Belt, formed in Winnipeg in 1971 by Randy Bachman and Chad Allan, both formerly of The Guess Who, and drummer Robin "Robbie" Bachman.
Brave Belt's self-titled first album did not sell particularly well and Allan left the band shortly after the supporting tour started. Not having a lead vocal replacement ready, Turner was asked to be a full-time member and sing lead for the recording of Brave Belt II in 1972. Brave Belt II also failed to achieve major chart success and in mid-1972 their tour in support of the album was canceled halfway through. But Turner's influence had started to make itself felt as the band morphed from pure country rock to a harder, guitar-heavy sound featuring Turner's gruff, powerful voice .
BTO released their eponymous first album in May 1973. The album broke through in the US via border towns such as Detroit and Buffalo and stayed on the charts for many weeks .
Their second album, Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, was released in December 1973 and became a massive hit in the U.S. (peaking at #4) and their native Canada. It was originally to be titled "Adrenaline Rush". It also yielded two of their best known hit singles, "Let It Ride" and "Takin' Care of Business".
Tim Bachman left the band in early 1974 shortly after the release of Bachman–Turner Overdrive II.
B.T.O. continued a very busy tour schedule and during the supporting tour for BTO II, Tim was replaced by Blair Thornton, who had been in the Vancouver-based band Crosstown Bus. The first album with the modified lineup, 1974’s Not Fragile (a play on the hit album Fragile by Yes), became a massive hit and reached #1 on the Canadian and U.S. album charts. It included the #1 single "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" .
The first B.T.O. compilation album, Best of BTO (So Far), was released in 1976 and featured songs from each of the band's first five studio albums.
Their second album, Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, was released in December 1973 and became a massive hit in the U.S. (peaking at #4) and their native Canada. It was originally to be titled "Adrenaline Rush". It also yielded two of their best known hit singles, "Let It Ride" and "Takin' Care of Business".
Tim Bachman left the band in early 1974 shortly after the release of Bachman–Turner Overdrive II.
B.T.O. continued a very busy tour schedule and during the supporting tour for BTO II, Tim was replaced by Blair Thornton, who had been in the Vancouver-based band Crosstown Bus. The first album with the modified lineup, 1974’s Not Fragile (a play on the hit album Fragile by Yes), became a massive hit and reached #1 on the Canadian and U.S. album charts. It included the #1 single "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" .
The first B.T.O. compilation album, Best of BTO (So Far), was released in 1976 and featured songs from each of the band's first five studio albums.
TRAXS
1. Blue Collar : 6:09 (Fred Turner)
2. Let It Ride : 4:24 (Randy Bachman, Turner)
3. Takin' Care of Business : 4:49 (Randy Bachman)
4. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet : 3:52 (Randy Bachman)
5. Free Wheelin' : 3:44 (Blair Thornton)
6. Roll on Down the Highway : 3:58 (Turner, Robbie Bachman)
7. Hey You : 3:33 (Randy Bachman)
8. Quick Change Artist : 3:19 (Randy Bachman, Turner)
9. Down to the Line : 4:01 (Randy Bachman, Kim Fowley, Mark Anthony, Vincent Furnier)
10. Take It Like a Man : 3:42 (Turner, Thornton)
11. Lookin' Out for #1 : 5:19 (Randy Bachman)
12. Gimme Your Money Please : 4:40 (Turner)
13. Heartaches : 3:53 (Turner)
Dedicated to all Old School Rockers
Size : 131 MB
CD Rip
Take it HERE
1. Blue Collar : 6:09 (Fred Turner)
2. Let It Ride : 4:24 (Randy Bachman, Turner)
3. Takin' Care of Business : 4:49 (Randy Bachman)
4. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet : 3:52 (Randy Bachman)
5. Free Wheelin' : 3:44 (Blair Thornton)
6. Roll on Down the Highway : 3:58 (Turner, Robbie Bachman)
7. Hey You : 3:33 (Randy Bachman)
8. Quick Change Artist : 3:19 (Randy Bachman, Turner)
9. Down to the Line : 4:01 (Randy Bachman, Kim Fowley, Mark Anthony, Vincent Furnier)
10. Take It Like a Man : 3:42 (Turner, Thornton)
11. Lookin' Out for #1 : 5:19 (Randy Bachman)
12. Gimme Your Money Please : 4:40 (Turner)
13. Heartaches : 3:53 (Turner)
Dedicated to all Old School Rockers
Size : 131 MB
CD Rip
Take it HERE
For a Best of to not have Not Fragile on it is a shame. Their best song imo.
ReplyDeleteAs a long time fan of BTO there are several tracks on this compilation that could be easily replaced by better songs, certainly nothing after Randy left is worth the trouble.
ReplyDelete